PBA: Rain or Shine finds silver lining in Mamuyac trade as Cuajao, Malonzo step up

Rain or Shine has parted ways with one of its key scorers in Gian Mamuyac, but the Elasto Painters are quickly discovering that help can come from within.

As the Elasto Painters adjust after the trade, Deo Cuajao and Mike Malonzo have made the most of their increased opportunities, giving head coach Yeng Guiao encouraging signs that the team's depth can fill the void left by Mamuyac.

"'Yun 'yung natural progression. Doon talaga pupunta. 'Yung playing time ni Mamu mapupunta sa kanila, madadagdagan 'yung minutes na pwede kong i-distribute sa mga players," Guiao said.

"Natural na mangyayari 'yun, mabibigyan ng pagkakataon 'yung ibang player so hindi rin naman tayo dini-disappoint ng mga binibigyan natin ng pagkakataon."

Unlike their franchise-best 7-0 start in the previous conference, the Elasto Painters opened their PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup campaign with a 1-2 record after back-to-back losses to Blackwater and Meralco before breaking through with a win over Phoenix.

However, Guiao has found positives amid the team's rough start and Mamuyac's departure.

In their first game without Mamuyac, Rain or Shine absorbed a 122-114 loss to the Bolts but found a bright spot in Cuajao. The seldom-used rookie guard made the most of his 30 minutes, finishing with 19 points, two rebounds, and a steal despite the Elasto Painters falling to 0-2.

Their next game immediately pitted the Elasto Painters against Mamuyac.

Mamuyac helped Phoenix erase a 20-point deficit, but the Fuel Masters' comeback ultimately fell short as Rain or Shine escaped with a 105-98 victory on Tuesday night.

While Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, and Andrei Caracut led the way, Malonzo also made his presence felt off the bench with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a timely all-around performance.

"Oo naman (moved on from Mamuyac trade). We need to. Hindi pwedeng mag-dwell kay Mamu," Beau Belga, one of the veterans of Rain or Shine, said.

"Good thing ‘yung ka-pwestuhan ni Gian, si Deo, he’s making the most of the playing minutes. ‘Yun ‘yung kagandahan, nagkaro’n ng opportunity si Deo."

Even though they now find themselves on opposite sides of the court, the Elasto Painters and Mamuyac remain on good terms.

"Maganda pinagsamahan namin so nothing to be like sumama ang loob kasi nagsama kami nang matagal eh. Kami nag-draft sa kanya and walang masamang tinapay," Belga added.

"And that’s our life sa PBA. Ako bago ako nag-settle sa Rain or Shine, ilang beses ako na-trade eh."

—JKC, GMA News